Feeding machine



Jan. 17, 1928.

R. J. WATERWORTH FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jim 94060? J WATERW0RTH ROBERT Jan. 17, 1928.

R. J. WATERWO RTH FEEDING MACHI NE Filed 5. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jam-0 ERT J, WATERW .Jan. 17, 1928.

R. J. WATERWQRTH FEEDING MACHINE File 5. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIIIIIIII.

III/ II Jmenlor ROBERTJT WATER WORTH,

Jan. 17, 1928. 4 1,656,406

R. .1. WATERWORTH FEEDI NG MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ROBERT J. WATERwoRTH,

Jan. 17, 1928. 1,656,406

R. J. WATERWORTH FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5 192 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jwnor RGBERT I, WA TER WOR TH,

Jan. 17, 1928.

R. J. WATERWORTH FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5. 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 0m mu m6 ROBE RT 'R. J. WATERWORTH FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1926 Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. WATERWORTH, OF SIDNEY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-H ALF TO L. M. STUDEVANT, OF SIDNEY, OHIO.-

FEEDING MACHINE.

Application filed October 6, 1926. Serial No, 189,734.

My invention relates to feeding machines.

It is the object of my invention to provide an automatic suction feeder adaptable to the feeding of all kinds of stock.

It is my object to provide a machine which separates the sheets being fed by fluttering, positively picks up the upper sheet pushing it slightly backwardly, shakes the upper sheet loose. and, while in loose condition,

conveys it forwardly and upwardly.

It is my object to provide a reciprocating mechanism which Wlll pick up each sheet individually, shake it loose from the other sheets and then convey it to a polnt to which it is desired to be fed, releasing the suction grip on the sheet at the appropriate moment.

It is my object to mamtam the top sheet in proper position for each operatlon of feeding.

Referring to the draw1ngs:

Figure 1 is a top plan view;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail v1ew of the feeding mechanism showing the upper sheet moved in its final position upon being fed;

Figure 4 is a detail view of the mechanism for limiting the movement of the feeder head and for causing it to vibrate;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the feeder at the extent of picking u v the sheet to start its forward movement in eeding;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the parts in position they would be in when the remainder of the mechanism is as shown in Figure 6;

Figure 7 is a detail view of the control valve for the suction apparatus for the feeder, showing the parts in position at the extent of release of the vacuum;

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the parts arranged when the mechanism is in position to apply the vacuum for the suction movement Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one of the fluttering nozzles;

Figure 10 is a detail side elevation of the control mechanism for the elevator;

Figure 11 is a section on the line 1010 of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a detail view of suction heads partially in section:

Figure 13 is a top plan view partially in section of the mechanism shown in Figure 53h 11;

run pawl 20 and Figure 14 is an enlarged detail view of suction feeder mechanism showing positions during shaking of sheet.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 11 are standards, of which there are four constituting a frame 2 for sup orting side members. This frame is joined by rods extending fore and aft of the machine, designated 3, on which are mounted vertical plates 4 joined to the rods 3 and to the side frames 2 at their respective ends. These vertical plates 4 act as guides for the paper supporting platform 5 which is carried on the frame members 6, which are provided with the slides 7 engaging the guides 4.

On these guides near the bottom thereof are mounted the shaft 8 and brackets 8 carrying sprockets 9 on which the elevating chains 10 turn. These chains are connected by the blocks 8 to the platform 5.

Upper sprockets 11 are provided, over which the chains 10 move, such upper sprockets being mounted in the side frame members 2.

A shaft 12 is provided in the frame members 2 for carrying these sprockets 11 and on the shaft 12 is also mounted a worm gear 13 meshing with a worm 14 mounted on a shaft 15 which is j ournaled on the side frame 2 parallel thereto, and, above it, in suitable brackets 16. This shaft is operated both automatically and by hand through a hand wheel 17. It is provided with two ratchets 18 and 19 which are connected by the overactuating pawl 21.

Carried in the brackets 22 on one of the side frames 2 is a rod 23 having a weighted arm 24 and a weight 25 mounted on one end and an upwardly extending arm 26 at the other end engaging a control lever 27 which determines whether or not the elevating mechanism will be actuated from the main source of power. This control lever is pivoted at 28 and is loosely connected to the rod 26 through the slot 29 in the lever 27 in which the rod 26 operates. The pawl 20 is merely an overrun pawl to prevent an overrun movement. The actuating pawl 21 is pivoted on the stud 30. This stud is carried on a reciprocating arm turn, pivotally connected at ing link 33 through the slot tion between 32 and 33 to movement between the two tion of the stroke.

and pin connecprovide relative parts for a por- This link, in turn, is

31, which is, in 32 to a depend connected to a bell crank 34 carried on the side frame 2.

This bell crank 34 is connected by a link 35 to a lever 36 mounted on the shaft 37 in the side frame 2. This lever is connected to the source of power by the pitman' 37.

The lever 27 is adapted-to be moved under the actuating arm 31 to prevent theactuation of the ratchet 19 by the pawl 21, but it is normally held in its inoperative position by the spring 38. Also mounted onthe reciprocating rod 23 is a control arm 39 which carries a bracket 40 and a detachable contact finger 41 which rests upon the top of the paper sheets on the supporting elevator table. A rear stop for these sheets is designated 42 carried on the frame 43, which, in turn, is mounted upon a rod 44 pivotally mounted in the brackets 45 in the other side frame 2.

Thus, as the sheets descend, the lever 27 will be withdrawn allowing the power mechanism to operate the elevating mechanism to lift the sheets to a new position. Side guides 88 guide the paper laterally. 89-89 are top guides for the aper.

A motor 46 is provi ed driving a vacuum pump 47 which communicates through a series of pipes 48 with a number of fluttering nozzles 49. These nozzles are so arranged as to flutter the upper sheets of paper to separate them by blowingagainst their forward edges.

The vacuum line of the pump, designated 50, is connected to a valve housing 51 mounted on the side of the machine near the top thereof.

This valve housing terminates in a cupshaped member havin an open face 52 which is slidably closediy an arm and cover plate designated 53 pivoted at 54. This cover plate is adapted to be actuated by an adjustable slotted link 55 provided with a slot 56 which works on a stud 57 carried by the cover plate 53. The adjustable stop 58 regulates the length of this slot. The other end of the link 55 is connected to the lever 59 pivoted on the shaft 37 on the side frame. This shaft is connected to the lever at 61 which in turn is pivotally connected to the link 62 which in turn is pivotally connected to an actuating vertically-arranged slide 63 yieldingl resisted in its movement to the left hand in Figure 2 by the spring 34.

This spring engages with the abutment 65 and is mounted on the reciprocating supporting rod 66 which guides the slide 63. The spring 64 resists the movement of the slide 63 to the right hand and is likewise mounted on the rod 66.

The power is applied through the shaft 37 which in turn is operated by the lever 36 and the pitman 37 The pitman is usuall connected to the folding machine to which this feeder is attached.

This slide 63 is connected to the rod 67 which reciprocates in the frame 65 which is in turn mounted upon a cross rod 66 in the side frame members 2. This rod 67 carries the reciprocating suction head 68 having the suction opening 69 at the bottom thereof for engaging with the top forward edge of each sheet of pa er, designated generally 70, a stack of whic sheets 15 generally designated 71. 72 is the rotating feed roller which cooperates in feeding each sheet as it is picked up. The arms 73 carry the roll ers 74 which engage the tops of said sheets to maintain them in engagement with the knurled actuating roller 72 which is suitably driven by the belt 75. The arms 73 are pivoted on the cross rod 66.

The sucker or feeder head 68 is supplied with air through the T-head- 76 connected to the hose 50. Supplementary hose 78 and 79 connects supplementary heads 80 and 81 which are sometimes used to cooperate with the main suction head 68 when the aper is very broad, such heads being carried on the transverse rod 7 9 and moved with the main head 68.

' Guides with bevelled faces, designated 82 are provided for guiding the paper sheets upwardly over the roller 72 when lifted by the suction head 68.

The outside end of the rod 66 is provided with an arm 83 over the sides of which is looped a rubber pad or strip 84 engaging with a bumper 85 on the side frame on one side and with an eccentrically mounted stop 86 on the other, which determines the'degree of rocking movement of the arm 63, shaft 66, frame 65 and the suction apparatus. The free'end of the arm 83 is provided with a spring 87 which normally-maintains it in its lower position.

Method of operation.

When the machine is started in operation, the supply of sheets will be maintained in elevated position, as already described.

The suction head 68 with the rod 67 moves forwardly and as the frame 65 tilts, due to the increasing pull of the link 62 and its displacement from the center of the supporting rod 66, the head 68 is brought in position to engage with the topmost sheet at its forward edge in such a way that the face of the suction head '68 is at an angle to the normal plane of the top sheet 70, thus bending up its forward edge and breaking it away from the stack of sheets.

The continued movement of the link 62 towards the right hand, as in Figures 3 and 5, causes the uppermost sheet to move backwardly slightly to the extent that the spring 64* can be compressed. As the rear end of the sheet is engaged by the stop 42, it is caused to ripple or buckle. Almost immediately, the head starts to return with the sheet attached to it by the suction and thesheet is moved forwardly to the left hand and upwardly over the beveled faces of the guides 62 and simultaneousl at the beginning of such movement it is s aken throughout its length by the head due to the vertical reciprocation thereof, which comes about through the restoration of the rubber faced arm 83 against the stop 85 which sets up a vibration or reciprocation in the mechanism causing the head'68 to move up and down and, therefore, to shake the sheet which serves to shake it free from theremaining sheets in the stack 71.

The sheet thus secured and shaken free is moved on to the roller 72 beneath the rollers 74 and is moved by the roller 72 on to its final position in a feeder.

Thus, we have the several steps of the movement of the feeder to the right hand and downwardly engaging the forward edge of the paper sheet along its forward edge, bending the edge of the sheet up at an angle to the rest of the sheets pushing the sheet backwardly slightly to buckle it, moving the sheet in the other direction and simultaneously shaking it and then moving it upwardly and to the left hand to its final position where it is engaged by the rollers 72' and 74.

The extent of this dipping movement of the feeder head to pick up the sheets is regulated by the eccentric stop 86.

The vacuum is applied to produce the requisite suction in the head 68 at the proper interval by the closing of the vacuum line by the cover plate 53 and the plate remains closed until the link 55 has moved its slot 56 to a point where the end of the slot or the stop 58 will engage the pin 57 to move the cover plate 0d of the opening 52 in the vacuum line 51, thus breaking the vacuum and releasing the sheet 71 at its final sheet taking position, as shown in Figure 3.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend Within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a feeder, means to supply sheets, a reciprocating suction feeder head, means for yieldingly limiting the movement of the head in either direction, suction means therefor adapted to be applied during the feeding operation and to be released at the end of feeding, means to move said head to the topmost sheet at its forward edge, and to cause said sheet to buckle after being attached to said head by pushing it back against an abutment.

2. In a feeder. means to supply sheets, a reciprocating suction feeder head, means for yieldingly limiting the movement of the head in either direction, suction means therefor adapted to be applied during the feeding operation and to be released 'at the end of feeding, means to move said head to the topmost sheet at its forward edge, to cause said sheet to buckle after being attached to said head, to move said sheet to sheet taking position, forwardly and upwardly, and during this forward and upward movement for moving said head vertically rapidly to shake said sheet attached thereto.

3. In a feeder means to supply a plurality of sheets to be fed, a suction head, means to reciprocate the head, means for yieldingly limiting the movement of the head in either direction, means to move and guide said head forwardly and downwardly to a sheet, rearwardly with the sheet to buckle it, returning with the sheet forwardly and upwardly, means of shaking the sheet free from a stack of sheets in the supply as it is parted therefrom, suction means cooperating with said head so arranged as to be rendered inoperative upon the cessation of the feeding operation of each sleet.

4. In a feeder, means to supply a plurality of sheets, a. reciprocating suction head, means for yielding limiting the movement of the head in either direction, means to move and guide said head forwardly and downwardly to a sheet, rearwardly with the sheet to buckle it, returning with the sheet forwardly and upwardly, means of shaking the sheet free from a stack of sheets in the supply as it is parted therefrom, suction means cooperating with said head so arranged as to be rendered inoperative upon the cessation of the feeding operation of each sheet.

5. In a feeder, means to supply sheets to a feeder, a reciprocating feeder head, means for guiding said head, means for yieldingly limiting the movement of said head in either direction, means for lowering said head to the sheets and elevating the head, means for vibrating the head, means to hold said sheets while the topmost sheet is buckled, means for applying suction to said sheet and to each of said sheets through said head, means for releasing said suction at the end of the feeding movement of each sheet.

6. In a feeder, means to supply sheets to a feeder, a reciprocating feeder head, means for guiding said head. means for yieldingly limiting the HIOVOll'ltllli of said head in either direction, means for lowering said head to the sheets and elevating the head. means for vibrating the head, means to hold said sheets while the topmost sheet is buckled, means for applying suction to said sheet and to each of said sheets through said head. means for releasing said suction at the end of the feeding movement of each sheet, and means for automatically elevating said sheets to maintain the uppermost sheet in feeding position.

7. In a feeder, means to supply sheets to a feeder, a reciprocating feeder head, means for guiding said head, means for ieldin ly limiting the movement of said hea in eit or direction, means for lowering said head to the sheets and elevating the head, means for vibrating the head, means to hold said sheets while the topmost sheet is buckled, means for applying suction to said sheet and to each of said sheets through said head, means for releasing said suction at the end of the feeding movement of each sheet, and means for removing said sheet from the feeder when it has been moved to its final fed position.

8. In a feeder, having a sup ly of sheets maintained in a predetermined position, a rocking frame, a reciprocating suction head, means to guide said head in said frame, yielding means for resisting the movement of said head and guide in either direction, power means. for tilting said frame and moving said head, a suction means connected to said head for attracting a sheet to the head and holding it there, valve means in said suction means connected with the ope ating means for the suction head-to synchronize it therewith to release theisuction when each sheet has been fed, an arm covered with a yielding means acting as a shock absorber. a stop adapted to engage said yielding means,

. whereby said head will be vibrated at a predetermined point and rollers for removing said sheet from its sheet taking position out of the machine operated from said source of power.

9. In a feeder, the combination of a main frame, a rocking frame, a feeder head slidably and reciprocab'ly mounted in said rocking frame, a cross head attached thereto. yielding means for limiting the movement of said head and cross head within said frame, means to actuate said cross head and feeder head and to tilt said frame, a vacuum line connected to said feeder head, a valve therein having a movable cover plate, a cover plate, and means connected to the actuating mechanism for the head connected to said cover plate for making and breaking said vacuum to make and break the suction in said head, and means for vibrating said head whereby said head moves in one direction and downwardly, buckling a sheet to be fed and then returns in the opposite direction and upwardly shaking the sheet as it is parted from the supply thereof.

10. In a method of feeding sheets, moving a suction member in one direction and downwardly engaging the forward edge of the sheet, bending up the forward edge of the sheet, stopping the sheets from moving in a given direction, buckling said sheet, moving said sheet in the return direction and upwardly and shaking said sheet as it is parted from the remainder of the sheets.

11. In a method of feeding sheets, movmg a suction member in one direction and downwardly engaging the forward edge of the sheet, bending up the forward edge of the sheet, stopping the sheets from moving.

in a given direction, buckling said sheets, moving saidsheet in the return direction and upwardly and shaking said sheet as it is arted from the remainder of the sheets, an fluttering said sheets during the feeding operation.

12. In a feeder, having a suction line, a suction line, a port in said line 0 Jen to the atmosphere, a cover plate for said port, a

stud on said plate, an actuating link having a slot mounted on said stud, and a detachable adjacent slot end plate for regulating the time of movement of said cover plate to break the vacuum in said line.

13. In a feeder, a frame, a vertically moving platform carrying a supply of sheets, means on the frame for limiting the rearward movement of the sheets, means on the frame for engaging with the top of the sheets, means for elevating said platform, power means for operating the elevating means, means for connecting the power means to the elevating means regulated by the means engaging the top of the sheets and a reciprocating feeding means operated by said contnnon source of power adapted to more over and downwardly to said. sheets, buckle said sheets, shake said sheet and move it to sheet taking position, and means for moving it out of the feeder from the sheet taking position, and suction means connected to said feeder and means to regulate from a common source of power said we tion means whereby the suction will be released at the end of each feeding operation and restored in time for the beginning of a new feeding operation.

14. In a feeder, means for vieldingly limiting the movement of the head in either direction, a reciprocating suction feeder head, a common suction line and supplementary laterally disposed suction heads, means for moving said heads into engagement with the sheets, means for moving the feeder heads to cause the uppermost sheet to partfrom the other sheets, and means to release the suction in said heads upon the accomplishment of the feeding operation.

15. In a feeder, a reciprocating suction head, suction means connected to said head, means for tilting said head after picking up the forward edge of a sheet to be fed to break that edge of the sheet from the sheets on which it lays so that the forward edge of such sheet is bent at an angle to the other sheets, and means to move said sheet and head to the final position of the sheet.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

ROBERT J. IVATERIV ORTH.

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CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,656,406.

ROBERT J. WATERWORTH.

it is hereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneously issued to the inventor, said "Waterworth and L. M. Studevant", as joint owners Granted January 17, 1928, m.

of said invention, whereas said Letters Patent should have been issued to "L.

M. Studevant, oi Sidney, Ohio", as assignee of the entire interest in said invention, as shown by the records of assignmentsin this office; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of Februau A. D. 1928.

I M. J. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

" mmmmm @Er mam mm N0, msmw Gmmed Eanuary 17, ms, m

RGE'ER'I Z5. WATERWGRTE.

H is Ezemhy wytified that the ai'mve numheyed mien? was ermneausiy is sued t0 the invenmr, said "Waterwofln and L. M Quadevam" as jwim owners of said invemiml, WE'REKQEaS said Lemma Pate? 5mm have bean issued m "L. M. Studevanz, 0% Eaidney, @hia", as assignae @i the miim imam-3M in said invention, as Shawn by the regards 0% assignmemsm ihi-s @Hica; am that the said Letters Pawn? simuid be mad wifla this @mmmimx themin that the same may mam "mm in 6mm meow; @f we in the E awm fiiiicec Sigmzd and sealed this 21st day mi fiehmzaa'y A EL 9228.

M. .3. Meme, Seafi. Aming; Commissiwmr 0i Patems. 

